“Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Jeff Bartos launched a charged personal attack against a leading GOP opponent Tuesday, arguing that Sean Parnell is ‘unelectable’ because of protective orders Parnell’s wife sought against him as their marriage splintered. Bartos’ criticism centers on two temporary protection-from-abuse orders issued against Parnell in 2017 and 2018. Neither was extended after a full hearing involving both parties, and both were later expunged. It remains unclear what Parnell’s wife accused him of doing when the temporary orders were issued.”

“Parnell and his wife are in an ongoing divorce and custody battle. Word of the protective orders has been quietly simmering in political and media circles for months, but Bartos made them public for the first time in an interview Tuesday. He planned to release a memo Wednesday on the matter and why it should steer Republicans away from Parnell. Temporary protective orders are issued after brief hearings before a judge involving only the accuser, not the accused. They can become permanent after a hearing involving both parties, but neither of the orders against Parnell went that far. None of the documents describe the alleged actions that led to those initial orders. The new, highly personal line of attack comes days after Parnell, a former Army ranger, secured a coveted endorsement from Trump in the Republican primary – a potential turning point in the race. Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate contest is one of the most competitive in the country and will help determine control of the chamber after next year’s midterm elections.'” – Philadelphia Inquirer.